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Professor Maya Ackerman is a trailblazer in generative AI and the CEO/co-founder of WaveAI. Since 2014, she has pioneered human-centered generative AI, advocating for its ability to enhance human creativity. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications that have been cited over 1500 times, her research spans text, music, and art.

Recognized as a “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, her expertise is featured on NBC News, New Scientist, NPR, and more. A frequent invited and keynote speaker, she appeared on renowned stages like the United Nations, IBM Research, Google and Stanford. A leading figure in the field, Dr. Ackerman holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo and is a professor at Santa Clara University.

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Selected Talks & Interviews

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Machines vs. Minds: Navigating the Future of Generative AI

What is generative AI? How does machine creativity relate to human creativity? What will become of us in the age of creative machines? Dr. Maya Ackerman, CEO and Co-Founder of Wave AI, delves into the essence of generative AI, drawing on comparisons to our own brains. A vision of the future of creativity is presented, along with a discussion of potential risks brought on by these powerful creative machines. Ethical dimensions of generative AI applied to creative domains is also addressed.

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Will AI change the music industry?

Music produced with the help of Artificial Intelligence has already gone viral. Take for example when an anonymous content creator used AI to simulate the voices of Hip-Hop stars Drake and The Weeknd. In our continuing series on Artificial Intelligence, CGTN’s Mark Niu examines how AI is leaving people wondering whether AI will change the industry for better or worse.

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How Creators Are Unlocking the Potential of Artificial Intelligence: 2023 ASCAP AI Symposium

While AI has been part of music creation for years, the recent proliferation of AI tools has raised both exciting new possibilities and difficult questions for creators. In this panel featuring innovators at the intersection of music and AI, you’ll learn how songwriters and composers are incorporating AI tools to amplify creativity, enhance business processes and grow their careers. This conversation is for anyone curious – or concerned – about how to thrive alongside AI.

Selected Press

Music Business Worldwide:
As ChatGPT Sets the Internet aflame, will AI write the lyrics of tomorrow's hits?

Welcome to the latest episode of the Music Business Worldwide Podcast, in which MBW founder Tim Ingham speaks to Dr. Maya Ackerman – the CEO and co-founder of AI lyric-generating platform, LyricStudio. The MBW Podcast is supported by Voly Music.

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Authority Magazine:
The Future Is Now: Dr Maya Ackerman On How WaveAI’s Technological Innovation Will Shake Up The Tech Scene

As a part of our series about cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Maya Ackerman.

Professor Maya Ackerman is a world renowned researcher in generative AI and CEO/co-founder of musical AI startup, WaveAI. Under Ackerman’s leadership, WaveAI is transforming how music is created in the age of AI. 

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Markkula Center for Applied Ethics:
Generative AI Ethical, Legal, and Technical Questions

This panel discussion explores the legal and ethical issues arising from the use of generative AI tools by artists and intellectual property owners. Topics covered include training data collection, fair use, impact on creativity and creative labor, and balancing of various rights.

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Selected Articles

Creative Machines: The Rise of Generative AI and its Impact on Human Creativity

November 2022 marked the beginning of a new era–the great awakening of generative AI. The emergence of creative machines, which seemingly appeared out of nowhere, captivated the minds of many. People were both in awe and horror of the machines’ shocking creative abilities in visual art and language. However, amidst the general reaction, as a generative AI researcher I saw something quite different.

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VentureBeat:
The real opportunity in creative AI: Deepening human creativity

We are on the cusp of a paradigm shift brought by generative AI — but it isn’t about making creativity “quick and easy.” Generative technology opens new heights of human expression and helps creators find their authentic voices.

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Generative AI in 4 Pictures

Generative AI is moving quickly. As we wonder where the current is heading, understanding the motion of ocean has never been more important. This brief illustrated guide introduces some of the most important concepts in generative AI through the aid of AI generated images made with Midjourney.

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The Humble Creative Machine

In this paper, we present a fresh perspective at co- creativity – using human development as a blueprint, we argue that fostering human creativity is a natural evolu- tion of creative machines. We introduce the notion of a “humble” creative machine – one that is less concerned with demonstrating its own independence, and instead uses its (potentially advanced) creative abilities to cul- tivate human creativity. We present characteristics of Humble Creative Machines and offer examples of ex- isting (almost) humble machines.

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Bio

Maya Ackerman, PhD, is a world-renowned expert in artificial intelligence and creativity, with a strong focus on co-creativity and its transformative potential across industries. As the CEO and Co-Founder of WaveAI, she leads a cutting-edge company  empowers people through AI-driven creativity tools. Under her leadership, WaveAI launched LyricStudio, an AI-powered songwriting assistant that helps millions of novice and professional songwriters craft compelling lyrics. Dr. Ackerman’s contributions to the field have redefined how humans collaborate with machines in the creative process.

In addition to her work as an entrepreneur, Dr. Ackerman is a Professor of AI at Santa Clara University, where she shares her deep expertise with students, helping to shape the next generation of innovators. Her academic work is recognized globally, with numerous publications in top-tier AI conferences and journals. As a thought leader in AI, she is a frequent keynote and invited speaker, with venues including Google, IBM Research, Microsoft, and the United Nations.  

Maya’s innovative work in AI creativity has earned her wide media recognition, including features in international outlets such as Forbes, BNC News, and NPR. Her thought leadership extends beyond academia and entrepreneurship, as she frequently contributes to discussions on the ethical implications of AI and its potential to positively impact society. She is also a passionate advocate for gender diversity in technology, encouraging women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in AI and STEM fields.

With her pioneering work in AI creativity and her commitment to empowering people to achieve their creative dreams, Dr. Ackerman has become a prominent figure in both the technology and creative industries. She continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible at the nexus of AI and human imagination, making her a key voice in the ongoing conversation about the future of creativity and innovation.